World Bank assists construction of Barracks

The Agona West Municipal Assembly has secured 187,000-dollar World Bank Loan facility for the construction of a Police Barracks at Agona Bobikuma in the Central Region.

Mr Samuel Oppong, Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) made this known when he addressed the Police Officers and Men of the Agona Swedru Divisional Police Command at their annual West African Security Service Association (WASSA) at Swedru.

He said the Chiefs and Elders of Agona Bobikuma have released land to the Assembly for the take-off of the project.

The rented premises being used as barracks for Police personnel at Bobikuma are in a deplorable state.

The MCE said, the project when completed would inspire police personnel in the area to work hard to protect life and property.

According to the MCE, the Assembly also has plans to procure musical instruments for the Agona Swedru Divisional Police Command by the end of September.

He said the musical instruments would be used to generate revenue for the personnel of the Divisional Command to ease financial pressure on the Assembly.

The MCE commended the Police and other security Agencies at Agona Swedru for their tireless efforts to reduce criminal activities in the area.

The Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Ahmed Issah Yakubu said the crime wave in the area had gone down drastically, and attributed this to pro-active policing adopted by the Command.

He said the Divisional Command recorded 79 armed robbery cases in 2013, as against 67 cases in 2014 while defilement cases also reduced from 87 in 2013 to 67 in 2014.

The Divisional Commander said narcotic cases recorded in 2013 were 97 as against 61 in 2014.

Chief Superintendent Yabuku said the Divisional Command recorded 22 murder cases in 2013 as against 14 in 2014, adding that nine abortion cases were recorded in 2013 as against zero in 2014.

He said 16 rape cases were recorded in 2013 as against 15 cases in 2014.

The Divisional Commander cautioned police personnel to desist from extortion and other corrupt practices which dent the image of the Police Administration.

He asked the public to stop giving money to police officers and turn round to accuse them of extortion.